Download THE EAR AND EAR POINTS AND AREAS

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CHAPTER TWO
THE EAR AND EAR POINTS AND AREAS
The ear is composed of three parts: the external ear, the middle ear, and
the internal ear. The external ear includes the external auditory canal and
the auricle. There are four prominences, three depressions, four notches,
and one ear lobe on the anterior surface of the auricle (Figure 2.1).
•Helix: The curling rim of the most lateral border of the auricle, consisting of the helix root, the tubercle, and the helix cauda.
• Helix root: The transverse ridge of the helix continuing backward
into the ear cavity.
• Helix–lobe notch: The depression between the helix and the posterior
border of the ear lobe, at the lower border of the helix (the helix cauda).
• Helix tubercle (Darwin’s tubercle): A tiny bump at the lateral–superior
aspect of the helix, located anywhere between Wrist (MA-SF2) and Elbow
(MA-SF3).
• Helix Cauda: The lower border of the helix where it meets the lobe.
• Antihelix: At the medial aspect of the helix, a Y-shaped protruding
ridge that curves parallel to the helix. It is divided into three parts: superior antihelix crus, inferior antihelix crus, and body of the antihelix.
•Tragus: A curved flap in front of the auricle. There are two obvious
prominences in the tragus: the upper apex of the tragus and the lower
apex of the tragus.
• Antitragus: A small tubercle opposite to the tragus and superior to the
upper part of the ear lobe.
• Scaphoid fossa (also known as the scapha): The narrow, curved depression between the helix and antihelix.
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Chapter Two ~ The Ear and Ear Points and Areas
Anatomical Areas on the Anterior Surface of the Auricle
Figure 2.1: Anatomical Areas on the Anterior Surface of the Ear
•Triangular fossa: The triangular depression between the two crusa of
the antihelix.
• Concha: The depression encircled by the antitragus, the curving part
of the antihelix, and the inferior antihelix crus. It consists of two parts:
superior concha and inferior concha. The raised area of the concha posterior to the helix root is the concha ridge.
• Lobe: The lowest part of the auricle; it has no cartilage.
• Supratragic notch: The depression between the upper border of the
tragus and the helix root.
• Intertragic notch: The depression between the tragus and the antitragus.
• Antihelix–antitragus notch: The depression between the antihelix and
the antitragus.
Chapter Two ~ The Ear and Ear Points and Areas
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Anatomical Areas on the Posterior Surface of the Auricle
There are three flat areas, five grooves, and four prominences on the
posterior surface of the auricle (Figure 2.2).
Figure 2.2: Anatomical Areas on the Posterior Surface of the Ear
• Posterior surface of the helix: Lateral aspect of the helix from the helix
curving forward, from the frontal aspect.
• Posterior surface of the helix cauda: The flat area between the posterior
surfaces of the scaphoid fossa and ear lobe.
• Posterior surface of the lobe: The flat area that is the posterior surface
of the lobe.
• Posterior groove of antihelix body: The groove in the posterior surface of
the antihelix body (where the ear attaches).
• Posterior groove of the superior antihelix crus: The depression on the
posterior surface of the superior antihelix crus.
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Chapter Two ~ The Ear and Ear Points and Areas
Figure 2.13: Points and Areas on the Superior Concha of the Ear
SMALL INTESTINE (MA-SC2)
Location: On the superior concha at superior and middle aspect
of the helix root.
Functions: Disperse accumulations and transform food.
Indications: Maldigestion, abdominal distention, diarrhea, sore
throat, sores in mouth. This is also a supplementary point for
treating arrhythmia.
Chapter Two ~ The Ear and Ear Points and Areas
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APPENDIX (MA-SC3)
Location: A point on the superior concha, between Large Intestine (MA-SC4) and Small Intestine (MA-SC2).
Functions: Dispel stasis and free the network vessels; resolve
tetany and relieve pain.
Indications: Appendicitis, loose stools.
LARGE INTESTINE (MA-SC4)
Location: Superior concha, anterior and superior to the helix root.
Functions: Dispel wind, clear heat, and free the bowels.
Indications: Loose stools, constipation, cough, toothache, acne.
LIVER (MA-SC5)
Location: Posterior portion of the lower aspect of the superior
concha, anterior to Chest (MA-AH11) and superior to Spleen
(MA-IC).
Functions: Course the liver and rectify qû; brighten the eyes and
extinguish wind.
Indications: Acute or chronic hepatitis, cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, distention and pain in the upper abdomen, belching, acid
regurgitation; dizziness, convulsion, hemiparesis; myopia, sty,
and acute conjunctivitis.
PANCREAS/GALLBLADDER (MA-SC6)
Location: Superior concha, between Liver (MA-SC5) and Kidney (MA-SC).
Functions: Course and disinhibit the liver and gallbladder; free
the network vessels and relieve pain.
Indications: Cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, parasitic diseases of the
biliary tract; acute or chronic pancreatitis; migraine, deafness,
and tinnitus.
KIDNEY (MA-SC)
Location: Superior concha, inferior to Buttocks (MA-AH5) and
posterior to and level with Bladder (MA-SC8).
Functions: Supplement kidney and boost essence; strengthen
lumbus and invigorate bones.
Indications: Disorders of urinary and reproductive systems such
as nephritis, cystitis, impotence, seminal emission; dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea; deafness, tinnitus, retardation of hearing,
loss of hair; disorders of the nervous system such as poor development of the brain, headache, spinal retrograde degeneration, pain in lumbus, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic diarrhea,
frequent urination at night, bedwetting.
Chapter Five: Treatments for Common Disorders
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CHAPTER FIVE
TREATMENTS
FOR
COMMON DISORDERS
The case studies with comments in this section are from the clinical records of Dr. Yang Yun Bi, at the Medical School of Huang Shan (Yellow
Mountain City) in Anhui Province, PRC.
INFECTIOUS DISORDERS
Common Cold
TREATMENT PRESCRIPTION
Primary Points: Lung (MA-IC1), Internal Nose (MA-T), Kidney (MA-SC),
Ear Shén Mén (MA-TF1).
Supplementary Points: Ear Apex (MA-H6) and Helix 1-6 (MA-H
1-6) for fever; Forehead (MA-AT), Kidney (MA-SC), and Spleen (MA-IC)
for headache and aching; Pharynx and Larynx (MA-T3) for sore throat;
Bronchii/Trachea (MA-IC2) and Calm Panting (MA-AT) for cough; Stomach (MA-IC) and Spleen (MA-IC) for diarrhea and vomiting.
THERAPEUTIC METHODS
Ear Acupuncture: Select two or three primary points together with
one or two supplementary points. The needles should be forcefully rotated
to create intense stimulation. Two treatments per day are recommended
for a severe case. Retain the needles for 30 to 60 minutes and manipulate
every 10 to 15 minutes. Decrease treatments to once per day as the illness
improves.
Ear Acupressure: Affix seeds to selected points in both ears. Press
the seeds three to five times per day (morning, noon, afternoon, and evening), three to five minutes each time.
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Chapter Five: Treatments for Common Disorders
Bloodletting: To be used in those with fever. Ear Apex (MA-H6) and
Helix 1-6 (MA-H 1-6) are treated.
NOTES
•
•
Clinical practice shows that ear acupuncture not only treats the common cold, but can also prevent it. As a preventative measure for cases of
repeated attack of the common cold due to a weak constitution or in a
period of epidemic of influenza, apply ear acupuncture, ear acupressure,
or massage at Lung (MA-IC1), Spleen (MA-IC), and Kidney (MA-SC).
According to TCM, Lung (MA-IC1) diffuses the lung and resolves the
exterior; it thereby frees the nose and thus is the primary point for the
treatment of common cold and influenza. Kidney (MA-SC) is antiinflammatory and anti-allergic, so it is effective for runny nose and excessive lacrimation when combined with Lung (MA-IC1). Bleeding at
Ear Apex (MA-H6) and Helix 1-6 (MA-H 1-6) clears lung heat. Severe
cases of influenza or pneumonic common cold should be treated with
ear acupuncture in combination with other therapies.
CASE STUDY: COMMON COLD
Zhang, a 20-year-old female, reported that for two days she had headache, fever, nasal congestion with runny nose, and sore throat. Her
body temperature was 38º C; there was redness and swelling in
her throat. The diagnosis was “common cold.”
Treatment Prescription: Ear Apex (MA-H6), Internal Nose (MA-T),
Throat (MA-T3), Lung (MA-IC1), Adrenal Gland (MA-T), and
Occiput (MA-AT).
Therapeutic Method: Bleeding at Ear Apex (MA-H6) with three-edged
needle; seed acupressure for the other points. Both ears were
treated simultaneously, twice a week. The patient was told to press
the seeds three to five times per day during the treatment.
Treatment Results: The patient’s body temperature returned to normal; all other symptoms showed improvement six hours after the
first treatment. All the symptoms were gone after three treatments.
COMMENTS:
1. Bleeding at Ear Apex (MA-H6), usually by drawing three drops of
blood, is remarkably effective for reducing body temperature.
2. In common cold, the identified patterns can change very quickly. Other
therapies should be considered whenever a complication occurs.
Chapter Five: Treatments for Common Disorders
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Epidemic Parotitis/Mumps
TREATMENT PRESCRIPTION 1
Primary Points: Apex of Antitragus (MA-AT), Cheek (MA-L), Adrenal
Gland (MA-T) and Ear Apex (MA-H6).
Supplementary Points: Endocrine (MA-IC3), Subcortex (MA-AT1),
Stomach (MA-IC), Pancreas/Gallbladder (MA-SC6), and Ear Shén Mén
(MA-TF1).
THERAPEUTIC METHOD
Ear Acupuncture: Use all the primary points together with one or
two supplementary points, according to the patient’s condition. The needles should be retained for 30 minutes and forcefully rotated every 10
minutes to achieve strong stimulation. Treat one or two times per day on
both ears.
TREATMENT PRESCRIPTION 2
Primary Points: Parotid Gland (MA-AT), Ear Apex (MA-H6), and
Ear Shén Mén (MA-TF1).
THERAPEUTIC METHOD
Ear Acupressure: Affix seeds to all prescribed points on both ears.
Press the seeds three to five times per day, two to three minutes each time,
until the swelling is decreased. This should occur in two to four days.
TREATMENT PRESCRIPTION 3
Primary Points: Ear Apex (MA-H6).
THERAPEUTIC METHOD
Bloodletting: Puncture Ear Apex (MA-H6) on both ears with a threeedged needle to draw ten drops of blood. Treat once per day for common
cases, two treatments for severe cases.
CASE STUDY: EPIDEMIC MUMPS
Chen, a 5-year-old girl, had suffered from fever and painful swollen
cheeks for three days. Her body temperature was 38º C; she had
swelling and tenderness centered at the ear lobes and extending to
both cheeks and surrounding area. The diagnosis was “epidemic
mumps.”
Treatment Prescription: Apex of Antitragus (MA-AT), Cheek (MA-L),
Ear Apex (MA-H6), Adrenal Gland (MA-T), and Subcortex (MAAT1).
Therapeutic Method: Bleeding at Ear Apex (MA-H6) with a threeedged needle. The other points were needled with filiform needles
on both ears. The needles were retained for 30 minutes.
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Chapter Five: Treatments for Common Disorders
Treatment Results: Pain was greatly improved after the first treatment,
and all the symptoms were gone after two treatments. The patient
took no other medication or therapy during the treatment with ear
acupuncture.
Comment: Considering that children are afraid of needling, seed acupressure can also be effective for the treatment of this disorder.
Whooping Cough
TREATMENT PRESCRIPTION
Primary Points: Bronchi (MA-IC), Lung (MA-IC1), Ear Shén Mén
(MA-TF1), and Sympathetic (MA-AH7).
Supplementary Points: Large Intestine (MA-SC4), Ear Apex (MA-H6),
Apex of Antitragus (MA-AT), Subcortex (MA-AT1), Adrenal Gland (MA-T),
and Kidney (MA-SC).
THERAPEUTIC METHODS
Ear Acupuncture: Use all the primary points together with one or
two supplementary points according to the patient’s current condition; for
example, select Ear Apex (MA-H6) and Apex of Antitragus (MA-AT) at
the early stage; select Subcortex (MA-AT1) and Adrenal Gland (MA-T) at
the spasmodic cough stage; and select Kidney (MA-SC) and Ear Shén
Mén (MA-TF1) at the recovery stage. Rotate the inserted needles, then
remove them immediately. One treatment per day is done at both the early
stage and the recovery stage; treat two or three times per day at the paroxysmal cough stage. Begin treatment on a single ear and change to the opposite ear every other day. One treatment course is seven days; allow two
to three days between treatment courses.
Bloodletting: After routine sterilization, draw two to three drops of
blood using a sterilized three-edged needle at Ear Apex (MA-H6) every
other day. This treatment is for those with fever at the early stage.
CASE STUDY: WHOOPING COUGH
Wang, a 7-year-old boy, suffered from cough for one month. The paroxysmal coughing was aggravated at night and was followed by
chicken-crowing-like breathing with scanty white foamy sputum.
Sometimes when the cough was severe it resulted in vomiting. The
boy also had congestion of the bulbar conjunctiva in both eyes and
a slightly puffy face. Auscultation revealed rough breathing on
both sides of the lung. An X-ray exam showed no other diseases in
the lungs. The diagnosis was “whooping cough.”
Treatment Prescription: Bronchii/Trachea (MA-IC2), Lung (MA-IC1),
Adrenal Gland (MA-T), Mouth (MA-IC5), and Central Rim (MA-AT).
Chapter Five: Treatments for Common Disorders
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Therapeutic Method: The initial treatment selection was needling at
the above points on both ears.
Treatment Results: The patient’s cough was remarkably improved the
very night of the first treatment. Seed acupressure was used from
the second treatment on the following day; both ears were treated
once per day. All the symptoms were gone after seven treatments,
and one more treatment was added to strengthen the therapeutic
effect.
Comment: Ear acupuncture is better for whooping cough at late stage
marked by dry cough because it can reduce the sensitivity of new
epifollicles in the trachea and bronchus, as well as inhibit the respiratory center in the brain stem.
Tuberculosis
TREATMENT PRESCRIPTION 1
Primary Points: Lung (MA-IC1), Endocrine (MA-IC3), and Ear Shén
Mén (MA-TF1).
Supplementary Points: Chest (MA-AH11), Kidney (MA-SC), Spleen
(MA-IC), Stomach (MA-IC), Internal Reproductive Organs (MA-TF), and
Pelvis (MA-TF).
THERAPEUTIC METHODS
Ear Acupuncture: Use all the primary points together with one or
two supplementary points depending on the patient’s condition. For example, add Chest (MA-AH11) and Kidney (MA-SC) for cough and chest
pain; add Spleen (MA-IC) and Stomach (MA-IC) for poor appetite; add
Internal Reproductive Organs (MA-TF) and Pelvis (MA-TF) for irregular
menstrual cycle and amenorrhea. Manipulate by needle scratching or rotation the inserted needles, using mild stimulation. Treat once per day. Begin treatment on a single ear and change to the opposite ear every other
day. One treatment course is ten days; allow two or three days between
treatment courses.
Ear Acupressure: Affix whole round mung beans at all prescribed
points. Press three to five times each day, two to three minutes each time.
Begin treatment on a single ear and change to the opposite ear every five
to seven days.
TREATMENT PRESCRIPTION 2
Primary Points: Lung (MA-IC1), Endocrine (MA-IC3), Ear Shén Mén
(MA-TF1), Heart (MA-IC), Spleen (MA-IC), Subcortex (MA-AT1), and
Kidney (MA-SC).
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Chapter Five: Treatments for Common Disorders
THERAPEUTIC METHOD
Medicine Injection: Inject 0.1 ml of 0.75% Novocain or 5–10 mg
isoniazid into one or two points to make soybean-sized bumps. Begin
treatment on a single ear and change to the opposite ear every other day.
Treat once per day; a single treatment course is three months.
NOTES
•
•
Verify that the needle is not inserted into a blood vessel by drawing
back the syringe to check for blood before injecting the medicine into
the points.
This disease requires long-term treatment.
Hepatitis
TREATMENT PRESCRIPTION 1
Primary Points: Liver (MA-SC5), Pancreas/Gallbladder (MA-SC6),
Spleen (MA-IC), and Stomach (MA-IC).
Supplementary Points: Add Pancreas/Gallbladder (MA-SC6) and
Abdomen (MA-AH) for poor appetite; add Ear Shén Mén (MA-TF1) and
Subcortex (MA-AT1) for pain in the right upper abdomen; add Large Intestine (MA-SC4) and Pancreas/Gallbladder (MA-SC6) for distention of
the abdomen; add Heart (MA-IC), Ear Shén Mén (MA-TF1), and Subcortex (MA-AT1) for insomnia; add Liver Yáng (MA-H) and Ear Apex
(MA-H6) to reduce the amount of SGPT and SGOP9.
THERAPEUTIC METHODS
Ear Acupuncture: Select four to six points and apply needle rotation
and scratching. Retain the needles for 60 minutes and manipulate them
every ten to fifteen minutes. Treat once per day. Begin treatment on a single ear and change to the opposite ear every other day. One treatment
course is seven to ten days; allow two or three days between treatment
courses.
Medicine Injection: Use two or three points for each treatment. Inject 0.1 ml of 0.5% Novocain and 0.2–0.5 ml of vitamin B12 into the prescribed points. Begin treatment on a single ear and change to the opposite
ear every other day. One treatment course is ten days.
TREATMENT PRESCRIPTION 2
Primary Points: Liver (MA-SC5), Pancreas/Gallbladder (MA-SC6),
Spleen (MA-IC), Stomach (MA-IC), SÃn JiÃo (MA-IC4), and Ear Center
(MA-H1).
9
These are measures of particular liver functions.
Chapter Five: Treatments for Common Disorders
97
Supplementary Points: Use Ear Apex (MA-H6) for bloodletting; add
Liver Yáng (MA-H) and Abdomen (MA-AH) for distention of the abdomen;
add Bladder (MA-SC8), Ear Shén Mén (MA-TF1), and Chest (MA-AH11)
for pain near the liver.
THERAPEUTIC METHODS
Electroacupuncture: Select two or three primary points together
with one or two supplementary points. After sterilizing the auricle, insert
filiform needles into the selected points. Then connect the needles to an
electroacupuncture apparatus for 30 minutes at a setting that causes the
patient to feel soreness, numbness, and distention. Treat once per day.
Begin treatment on a single ear and change to the opposite ear every other
day. One treatment course is ten days.
Ear Acupressure: Select two or three primary points together with
one or two supplementary points. Affix vaccaria seeds at the selected
points. Press the seeds after each meal and before going to sleep; rub for
two to three minutes each time or until soreness, numbness, or distention
is induced.
Bacillary Dysentery/Dysentery
TREATMENT PRESCRIPTION
Primary Points: Large Intestine (MA-SC4), Rectum (MA-H2), and
Sympathetic (MA-AH7).
Supplementary Points: Add Ear Apex (MA-H6) and Adrenal Gland
(MA-T) for high fever; add Spleen (MA-IC) and Stomach (MA-IC) for severe abdominal pain and diarrhea.
THERAPEUTIC METHODS
Ear Acupuncture: Select two or three primary points together with
one or two supplementary points. Treat both ears, using strong stimulation by forcefully rotating. Retain the needles for 60 minutes and manipulate every 10 or 15 minutes. Treat once per day for mild cases, twice per
day for severe cases.
Medicine Injection: Inject 0.1 ml of syntomycin, vitamin B1, or Novocain at two or three of the prescribed points, once per day. Begin treatment on a single ear and change to the opposite ear every other day until
diarrhea stops. One more injection should be given after bacterial culture
results are normal. Atropine sulfate can also be used for the medicine injection method. Treat Ear Shén Mén (MA-TF1), Sympathetic (MA-AH7),
and Large Intestine (MA-SC4) bilaterally; add Rectum (MA-H2) for tenesmus. Inject 0.15 ml for each point, and treat once or twice per day.
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Chapter Five: Treatments for Common Disorders
Needle Implantation: Select three to five of the points in one ear for
needle implantation. Press the implanted needles two or three times per
day, two to three minutes each time. The intradermal needles should remain implanted for five to seven days. In general, all signs of illness will
disappear after only one treatment course.
NOTES
•
Patients with toxic types of bacillary dysentery with severe manifestations should be treated on an inpatient basis using a combination of
therapies.
Malaria
TREATMENT PRESCRIPTION
Primary Points: Adrenal Gland (MA-T), Subcortex (MA-AT1), and
Endocrine (MA-IC3).
THERAPEUTIC METHODS
Ear Acupuncture: Select all prescribed points in both ears, using
strong stimulation by rotating forcefully. Needling should be done seven
hours before an attack, and the needles should be retained until one to
two hours after the attack ends; manipulate the needles every 15 to 20
minutes.
Needle Implantation: Implant needles at the prescribed points in
both ears two hours before an attack occurs. Press the implanted needles
three to five times each day, three to five minutes each time. The needles
should remain implanted until two or three days after the attacks stop.
NOTES
•
Cerebral malaria and severe cases of malaria must be treated with a
combination of therapies at an inpatient clinic.
INTERNAL DISORDERS
Bronchitis
TREATMENT PRESCRIPTION 1
Primary Points: Lung (MA-IC1), Bronchii/Trachea (MA-IC2), and
Ear Shén Mén (MA-TF1).
Supplementary Points: Add Adrenal Gland (MA-T) and Root of Ear
Vagus (MA-PS) for acute bronchitis; add Spleen (MA-IC) and Kidney (MA-SC) for chronic bronchitis; add Calm Panting (MA-AT) for pulmonary emphysema.
Chapter Five: Treatments for Common Disorders
99
THERAPEUTIC METHODS
Ear Acupuncture: Select two or three primary points together with
one or two supplementary points. Retain the needles for 30 to 60 minutes
and manipulate every 10 to 15 minutes, use needle rotation for strong
stimulation. Treat once per day. Begin treatment on a single ear and
change to the opposite ear every other day. One treatment course is five to
seven days; allow two or three days between treatment courses.
Ear Acupressure: Affix seeds at three to five prescribed points. Press
the seeds three to five times per day, two to three minutes each time. Begin treatment on a single ear and change to the opposite ear after five to
seven days. This method is mainly used to treat chronic bronchitis.
TREATMENT PRESCRIPTION 2
Primary Points: Lung (MA-IC1), Kidney (MA-SC), Calm Panting
(MA-AT), and Bronchii/Trachea (MA-IC2).
THERAPEUTIC METHOD
Medicine Injection: Select one or two of the prescribed points, and
inject a prepared bacteria concoction.10 Use 0.05–0.1 ml for the first injection, gradually increasing the amount to 0.3 ml. Treat two times per week.
One treatment course is ten treatments.
CASE STUDY: BRONCHITIS
Yao, a 20-year-old male, reported that for five days he had cough with
frothy sputum, which was aggravated at night. After treatment
with Western medication, the amount of sputum was remarkably
reduced but the cough had not significantly improved. The patient’s body temperature was normal. Auscultation revealed rough
breath on both sides of the lung, and an X-ray exam showed no
other diseases in the lungs. The diagnosis was “acute bronchitis.”
Treatment Prescription: Bronchii/Trachea (MA-IC2), Lung (MA-IC1),
Ear Shén Mén (MA-TF1), Mouth (MA-IC5), Central Rim (MAAT), and Endocrine (MA-IC3).
Therapeutic Method: In the first treatment, both ears were needled
and the needles were retained for 30 minutes. Seed acupressure
was used starting with the second treatment.
Treatment Results: The cough was remarkably improved at night after
the first treatment, and the patient was cured after three treatments.
Comments: 1. Ear acupuncture is more effective for bronchitis in an
early stage or when dry cough with inflammation is under control.
10
This concoction is a type of complex bacterial vaccine that combines hay bacillus with
streptococcus and staphylococcus albus.
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Chapter Five: Treatments for Common Disorders
2. Chronic bronchitis is frequently complicated with inflammation, and ear acupuncture can only provide symptomatic relief
and shorten the course of illness. For better therapeutic results,
other complementary therapies should be used.
Bronchial Asthma/Wheezing and Panting
TREATMENT PRESCRIPTION
Primary Points: Lung (MA-IC1), Kidney (MA-SC), Ear Shén Mén
(MA-TF1), Adrenal Gland (MA-T), and Sympathetic (MA-AH7).
Supplementary Points: Add Bronchii/Trachea (MA-IC2) for severe
cough; add Chest (MA-AH11) and Subcortex (MA-AT1) for severe panting.
THERAPEUTIC METHODS
Medicine Injection: Use 0.2% Novocain or 1:1000 adrenaline. Select
two or three prescribed points and inject 0.1 ml of the preparation into
each point. This method is recommended for acute cases.
Ear Acupuncture: Use all primary points, together with one or two
supplementary points. Retain the needles for 30 to 60 minutes and manipulate every 10 to 15 minutes, using needle scratching and rotation manipulation. Treat once per day. Begin treatment on a single ear and change
to the opposite each every other day. One treatment course is seven days.
Ear Acupressure: Use white mustard seed. Rub seeds three to five
times per day, two to three minutes each time. Begin treatment on a single
ear and change to the opposite ear every five to seven days.
NOTE
•
Ear acupressure is used as a preventative treatment during intervals
between acute attacks of asthma.
CASE STUDY: BRONCHIAL ASTHMA
For the last 8 years Wang, a 19-year-old male, had suffered from
asthma that was triggered by seasonal changes, catching cold, and
overwork. Two days prior to his first treatment, he had sudden
onset of asthma marked by difficult breathing, white frothy sputum, slightly purple lips, and wheezing sounds on both sides of
the chest. The diagnosis was “bronchial asthma.”
Treatment Prescription: Bronchii/Trachea (MA-IC2), Lung (MA-IC1),
Kidney (MA-SC), Sympathetic (MA-AH7), Adrenal Gland (MA-T),
Subcortex (MA-AT1), and Endocrine (MA-IC3).
Therapeutic Method: All the above points were needled on both ears;
later, seed acupressure was used.
Chapter Five: Treatments for Common Disorders
101
Treatment Results: The asthma was significantly relieved within two
hours of the first treatment. At the second treatment on the following day and thereafter, seed acupressure was used; treatments
switched between ears every three to five days. All the symptoms
were gone after four treatments.
Comments: 1. Ear acupuncture can only relieve the symptoms at the
acute onset of asthma by relaxing spasms of the bronchial smooth
muscle. It does not help for complete healing.
2. As for bronchial asthma complicated with infection, an
anti-inflammatory medicinal treatment should be added.
Hypertension
TREATMENT PRESCRIPTION 1
Primary Points: Groove of Posterior Surface (MA-PS), Liver (MA-SC5),
and Spleen (MA-IC).
THERAPEUTIC METHOD
Bloodletting: Draw five to ten drops of blood from each of the prescribed points. Begin treatment on a single ear and change to the opposite
ear every other session. For the best effect, treatment should continue
every two or three days, even after blood pressure returns to normal.
NOTES
•
Blood pressure may rise at the beginning of treatment in some patients, but it will gradually decline.
TREATMENT PRESCRIPTION 2
Primary Points: Adrenal Gland (MA-T), Sympathetic (MA-AH7),
Heart (MA-IC), and Ear Shén Mén (MA-TF1).
Supplementary Points: Liver (MA-SC5), Kidney (MA-SC), Endocrine (MA-IC3), and Subcortex (MA-AT1).
THERAPEUTIC METHODS
Magnet Therapy: Use all the primary points together with one or two
supplementary points. Select magnetic beads with a diameter of 1.5 to 2.0
mm and a magnetic intensity of 0.05 to 0.08 teslae (500 to 800G). Affix
the beads onto the selected points. Begin treatment on a single ear and
change to the opposite ear every five to seven days.
Ear Acupressure: Affix vaccaria seeds on two or three primary points
together with one or two supplementary points. Press three to five times
per day, two to three minutes each time. Begin treatment on a single ear
and change to the opposite ear every five to seven days.